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If it’s true, it’s stunning. The 49ers potentially made a franchise shifting decision by reportedly allowing Colin Kaepernick to take the first-team snaps in Wednesday practices. ESPN reported that Smith told his former teammate Trent Dilfer that he was taking second-team snaps and that he would have to earn his starting job back in practice. Sports Illustrated reported that 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh told Smith that Kaepernick was the starter.
More is likely to be revealed, but it does appear as if the 49ers are making the move to the second-year player from Nevada, which would essentially end the “Keapersmith” debate. Or will it?
Frankly, I’m surprised the 49ers are apparently going with Kaepernick, particularly against the Saints. Playing in the din of the Superdome can be challenging for a veteran, much less a second-year player making his second career start.
In that situation the quarterback has to help out his offensive line, and it’s debatable Kaepernick has that capacity at this stage. Also, Kaepernick will have to match wits with Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, one of the brightest players in the league and the Saints defensive play caller.
New Orleans is also a beatable team with their 32-ranked defense. Barring a defensive collapse by the 49ers, all the 49ers have to do is play ball control and they win. The veteran Smith gives the 49ers the best chance for ball control with his short-passing acumen and ability to get the offense in the right play before the snap.
However, the 49ers were undoubtedly uplifted by Kaepernick’s Montana-like cool on Monday night. He’s also an animator, a player that can turn the light on in playmakers like Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and even Frank Gore. The running game opened after Kaepernick kept buffeting the Bears with big plays.
Kaepernick is also a modern quarterback in the vein of a Robert Griffin III. With his run-pass talent, his ability to run the option, the 49ers already bulging playbook adds a few pages.
However, he’s also an unknown. During training camp practices, Kaepernick was wildly inconsistent. The media is shut out from practice during the season, so only the 49ers know how much Kaepernick has matured in his play and knowledge of the offense.
Also, nobody knows quarterbacks like Jim Harbaugh. If he thinks Kaepernick should be the starting quarterback, who would argue with that?